“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
- Mark Twain -
Gray’s journey to Château de Détilly began with a single backpack and a Eurail Pass in 1978. Arriving in Paris for the very first time, he was enchanted by the city: the green-uniformed street cleaners, the scent of croissants drifting from boulangeries, the hum of mopeds, and the discovery of words on every sign that felt both foreign and thrilling. It was one of the most exciting moments of his life — and it set in motion a promise to return.
He did return — in 1987 — this time with Pierre, who would later become his husband in 2015.
After years teaching language and writing at the Nouvelle Sorbonne and Sciences Po, Gray founded Paris Creative Writers in 2017 to bring together fiction writers dedicated to their craft. Three years later, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of owning a château in the Loire Valley, transforming Château de Détilly into both a luxury bed and breakfast and a haven for creative minds.
Today, Gray and Pierre welcome writers from around the world to Château de Détilly — an inspiring retreat where stories are nurtured, ideas flourish, and community thrives within the walls of a historic French château.
Whether you come to finish a novel, start a new project, or simply reconnect with your creativity, Château de Détilly offers the perfect blend of history, beauty, and quiet inspiration.
